All Markets - Regencehttp://news.regence.comAll Marketsen-usFri, 24 May 2019 21:34:39 GMTFri, 24 May 2019 21:34:39 GMTiPressroomMillennials increasingly suffer from top health conditions, depression, according to new report http://news.regence.com/releases/millennials-increasingly-suffer-from-top-health-conditions-depression-according-to-new-reportreleasesLatest Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Health of America study on millennial health finds this generation is less healthy than previous generations<![CDATA[<p>A third of millennials suffer from health conditions that reduce their quality of life and life expectancy, according to a <a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/the-health-of-millennials">new study of medical claims</a> by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). &nbsp;</p>
<p>The report found that millennials&ndash;those born between the years of 1981 and 1996&ndash;had substantially higher diagnoses for eight of the top 10 health conditions than Generation X members did at the same age. Based on their current health status, millennials are also more likely to be less healthy later in life compared to their Gen X counterparts.</p>
<p>The BCBS Health Index found that between 2014-2017, the prevalence rate for the top 10 conditions affecting millennials increased&ndash;in many cases, by double digits. When compared to the national population, millennials were most impacted by behavioral health conditions such as depression, hyperactivity and substance use disorder, as well as physical health conditions such as Type II diabetes and hypertension. Most significantly, the prevalence of major depression among the millennial population&ndash;which makes up the second-largest generation among commercially insured Americans&ndash;increased 31%.</p>
<p>Across Regence&rsquo;s four-state footprint, health index rates were on par with the national average, with behavioral health conditions posing the highest risk.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Debt, a constant connection to technology and societal pressures are all possible contributors to stress spikes in the&nbsp;millennial generation,&rdquo; said Dr. Drew Olivera, an Executive Medical Director for Regence health plans. &ldquo;Unfortunately, we&rsquo;re beginning to see these manifest in a host of physical and behavioral conditions at an alarming rate that can have adverse, immediate and long-term health effects.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Regence works to address millennial health through an integrated and accessible approach that includes behavioral health. The health plan provides telehealth services that allow members to access treatment when, where and how they need it, in addition to wellness and other programs and tools that help address behavioral and physical health conditions. &nbsp;</p>
<p>A recent Blue Cross Blue Shield Association&nbsp;survey also found that 68% of millennials have a primary care physician, compared to 90% of Generation X, which is an important factor in preventative care.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Based on these findings, we&rsquo;re seeing that millennials are not seeking preventative care, and it&rsquo;s not only having an effect on their immediate health, but will significantly impact their long-term health as well,&rdquo; said Dr. Vincent Nelson, vice president, Medical Affairs for BCBSA.</p>
<p>The Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Health of America Report&reg; series, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/the-health-of-millennials">The Health of Millennials</a>,&rdquo; examined the BCBS Health Index, a database of de-identified medical claims from more than 41 million commercially insured members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies.</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong><br />
Regence serves approximately 2.6 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.regence.com/">regence.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index</strong><br />
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Index quantifies over 200 different health conditions to identify which diseases and conditions most affect Americans&#39; longevity and quality of life. &nbsp;It is powered by annual data from more than 41 million BCBS members, commercially insured Americans. BCBS companies are committed to improving Americans&#39; health by providing data-driven insights to policymakers, community leaders, healthcare professional and business leaders. The BCBS Health Index informs national and local discussions about how to improve U.S. health, health policy and healthcare practice.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association</strong><br />
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through <a href="https://www.bcbs.com/about-us/capabilities-initiatives/health-america-initiative/health-america-report">The Health of America Report</a> series and the national BCBS Health Index. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://bcbs.com/">bcbs.com</a>. We also encourage you to connect with us on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BCBSAssociation" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, check out our videos on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/bluecrossblueshield" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, follow us on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BCBSAssociation" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;and check out our<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/articles">&nbsp;blog</a>.</p>
]]>All MarketsThu, 25 Apr 2019 20:14:48 GMTRegence http://news.regence.com/releases/millennials-increasingly-suffer-from-top-health-conditions-depression-according-to-new-reportWed, 24 Apr 2019 15:03:00 GMTRegence health plans reduce opioid prescriptions 39 percent through 2018http://news.regence.com/releases/regence-health-plans-reduce-opioid-prescriptions-39-percent-though-2018releasesComprehensive opioid strategy includes community, provider partnerships to address pain management and addiction prevention<![CDATA[<p><strong>PORTLAND, Ore.</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Regence health plans are committed to decreasing the misuse of opioids through a variety of initiatives while still supporting appropriate use for people who can benefit from opioid treatment.</p>
<p>As of the end of 2018, Regence achieved a 39 percent decrease in opioid prescriptions since 2015. This exceeds a company goal of reducing prescriptions 25 percent across the four-state region of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah by 2020. This was but one part of a comprehensive program that included education and awareness, behavioral health care management programs, support of community partner organizations working on substance abuse treatment, sponsorships in partnership with local providers offering pain management classes and more.</p>
<p>&ldquo;At Regence, we recognize that addressing the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach,&rdquo; said Dr. Cheryl Pegus, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Healthcare Services. &ldquo;We continue to partner with our members, their providers, pharmacists and the communities we serve to provide integrated care management services. This is a national epidemic and we are using best practices gleaned from across the country to continue to innovate in our approaches.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Regence&rsquo;s strategy is broad-based and follows four P&rsquo;s:</p>
<p><strong>Pharmacy</strong>: Ensuring that we follow appropriate prescribing guidelines, both to make sure the treatment is appropriate but also to make sure those who can benefit from opioid treatment are able to get the medications they need. We also refer members to our internal behavioral health program as needed for them and their families.</p>
<p><strong>Pain</strong>: Opioid addiction often starts with chronic pain. Finding ways to help people manage their pain or identifying alternative treatments is a priority and our staff were recently trained on the new ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) guidelines to enable improved outcomes.</p>
<p><strong>Providers</strong>: We partner with providers by sharing claims data analysis and by providing resources through an online pain management toolkit, all in service of more informed shared-decision-making with regard to our members&rsquo; health.</p>
<p><strong>People</strong>: We have worked to provide education and awareness through community partner organizations that have brought in national speakers or have specialized expertise in pain and addiction. We also created a conversation guide&nbsp;to help people talk with their doctor about appropriate treatment, and we sponsor 38 safe medication disposal kiosks in Walgreens stores in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah.</p>
<p>We know there is more work to do, and we continue to strengthen our policies and programs to support our members and the communities we serve.</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong><br />
Regence serves more than 2.6 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://regence.com/" title="regence.com"><u>regence.com</u></a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>###</strong></p>
]]>All MarketsThu, 04 Apr 2019 21:02:49 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-health-plans-reduce-opioid-prescriptions-39-percent-though-2018Wed, 03 Apr 2019 21:00:00 GMTRegence expands Medicare Advantage plans and benefits for 2019http://news.regence.com/releases/regence-expands-medicare-advantage-plans-and-benefits-for-2019releasesNew plans and benefits support a wide range of health and wellness needs at a lower cost<![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.regence.com/">Regence</a> has lowered premiums and expanded its 2019 Medicare Advantage plan offerings in almost all counties across its four-state service area. Medicare-eligible individuals that live in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington will have multiple Regence health plan options based on the state and county where they live.</p>
<p>On select 2019 plans, Regence has lowered copays on medical benefits and will offer coverage for alternative medical services like chiropractic, acupuncture and naturopathy visits.</p>
<p>Regence Medicare Advantage members will also have access to new online features at no additional cost, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Regence Empower, a health and well-being program that offers personalized wellness information and health tracking, as well as potential rewards for eligible members in Utah and Idaho.</li>
<li>24/7 virtual primary care provider access via computer or mobile device</li>
<li>Virtual diabetes prevention program that provides education and support for those at risk of developing diabetes</li>
<li>Prescription drug resource to research medications and compare prices to save money</li>
</ul>
<p>&ldquo;Medicare members are savvy shoppers with vastly different health care needs,&nbsp;and we&rsquo;re excited to offer new, high-value health resources in 2019 along with our cost-effective health plan options,&rdquo; said Kathleen Faulk, general manager of government programs for Regence. &ldquo;We take our role in people&rsquo;s health care seriously, delivering a seamless health care experience and unparalleled customer service.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>Health plan option for Medicare-eligible veterans</strong></p>
<p>In most of its four-state service area, Regence has lowered the monthly premium for its medical-only Medicare Advantage Basic PPO plan. A low or no cost medical-only Medicare Advantage plan helps Medicare-eligible veterans have access to more doctors, specialists and other providers, as well as additional benefits beyond what their veteran benefits cover.</p>
<p>Regence&rsquo;s 2019 Medicare Advantage plans offer a wide range of other benefits as well, which may include:</p>
<ul>
<li>No deductible for generic prescription drugs</li>
<li>$0 copay for dental cleanings, exams and x-rays</li>
<li>$0 copay annual eye exam and vision hardware allowance</li>
<li>Routine hearing exam and hearing aid benefit</li>
<li>Silver&amp;Fit&reg; Program membership at no cost</li>
<li>Personalized care support program, providing benefits for consultative and emotional support visits for people with serious illness</li>
<li>Nationwide access to in-network providers contracted with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association PPO Network Sharing Program</li>
</ul>
<p>In 2019, Regence will also continue offering its Medicare Supplement plans that cover the costs not covered by Original Medicare, and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) plans for those who want to add prescription drug coverage to their Medicare Supplement and/or Original Medicare plan.</p>
<p>Those enrolled in Medicare can sign up or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare&rsquo;s annual election period (AEP) that runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year with a Jan. 1 effective date. To learn more about available Regence plans, visit <strong><a href="file:///C:/Users/r633611@regence.com/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/B2GUB2FP/regence.com/medicare">regence.com/medicare</a></strong>, or call a Regence Medicare plan advisor at 1 (844) REGENCE (734-3623) (TTY: 711). During AEP, hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific time; otherwise plan advisors are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.</p>
<p><em>Regence is an HMO/PPO/PDP plan with a Medicare contract.&nbsp; Enrollment in Regence depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call 1-800-541-8981 (TTY: 711) for more information. Regence complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.&nbsp; ATENCI&Oacute;N: si habla espa&ntilde;ol, tiene a su disposici&oacute;n servicios gratuitos de asistencia ling&uuml;&iacute;stica.&nbsp; Llame al 1-800-541-8981 (TTY: 711). </em><em>注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 </em><em>1-800-541-8981</em><em>（</em><em>TTY: 711). </em></p>
<p class="paragraph"><span class="normaltextrun"><b><span>About Regence</span></b></span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"><span class="eop"><span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><span></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" paraeid="{1d1c1d85-9d80-4824-a963-0feb546b5661}{90}" paraid="166377956"><span xml:lang="EN-US"><span><span class="normaltextrun"><span>Regence serves approximately 2.</span></span><span xml:lang="EN-US"><span>5</span></span><span xml:lang="EN-US"><span>&nbsp;million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><span><a href="http://www.regence.com/" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span><span><span xml:lang="EN-US">regence.com</span></span></span></span></a><span class="normaltextrun"><span><span xml:lang="EN-US">.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p paraeid="{1d1c1d85-9d80-4824-a963-0feb546b5661}{90}" paraid="166377956"><span xml:lang="EN-US"></span></p>
]]>All MarketsFri, 09 Nov 2018 23:35:57 GMTRegence http://news.regence.com/releases/regence-expands-medicare-advantage-plans-and-benefits-for-2019Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:15:00 GMTRegence Appoints Julie Lindberg as Vice President of Clinical Serviceshttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-appoints-julie-lindberg-as-vice-president-of-clinical-servicesreleases<![CDATA[<p>SEATTLE - Today, Regence announced that Julie Lindberg, MSW, has joined the company as Vice President of Clinical Services. Lindberg will oversee teams across the health plan&rsquo;s four-state footprint, including; clinical service operations, utilization management, care management, post service review and reimbursement.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Julie&rsquo;s leadership will support our efforts to deliver best in class, patient-centered clinical services,&rdquo; said Dr. Cheryl Pegus,&nbsp;SVP, Health Care Services and Chief Medical Officer of Cambia Health Solutions. &ldquo;Her breadth of clinical experience and her expertise in serving consumers where they are, will be instrumental in continuing our work to offer integrated, cost-effective care.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Ms. Lindberg joins Regence from Molina Healthcare where she served as the Regional Vice President of Health Care Services. She previously oversaw clinical operations for Molina&rsquo;s Medicare and Medicaid plans, serving approximately one million people across Washington, Utah and Idaho. Lindberg also led the integration of behavioral health with other clinical models and developed high-touch case management programs to improve health outcomes for members. Prior to her role at Molina Healthcare, she acted as director of Clinical Operations at Group Health in Washington.</p>
<p>She earned her bachelor&rsquo;s degree from Pomona College in California and her master&rsquo;s in social work from the University of California at Los Angeles. Her background as a licensed clinical social worker combined with strong direct patient care experience affords her a unique perspective to streamline services for Regence members.</p>
<p>She will be based in Seattle, Washington.</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong></p>
<p>Regence serves approximately 2.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit regence.com.</p>
]]>All MarketsTue, 18 Sep 2018 17:15:52 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-appoints-julie-lindberg-as-vice-president-of-clinical-servicesTue, 18 Sep 2018 12:30:00 GMTRegence invests in local partners to transform community healthhttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-invests-in-local-partners-to-transform-the-health-of-its-communitiesreleases<![CDATA[<p><strong>PORTLAND, Ore. &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association today released its annual&nbsp;&ldquo;The Health of America Community Investment Report&rdquo; detailing the impact of community investments made in 2017 by all 36 licensees and their foundations to improve the health of Americans.</p>
<p>Underscoring the companies&rsquo; deep commitment to helping Americans live healthier lives, BCBS programs focus on driving positive health outcomes and addressing the most pressing issues affecting the country today, including community health disparities, the opioid epidemic and quality and accessibility of health care.</p>
<p>The report highlights community&nbsp;partnerships led by Regence&nbsp;in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah. Together, Regence and&nbsp;its family of companies have invested more than $12 million in its local communities.</p>
<p>&ldquo;In each of our four states, we&rsquo;re focused on building transformative, game-changing partnerships that enhance the health and lives of people in our communities,&rdquo; said Alison Arella with Regence Corporate Social Responsibility.</p>
<p>Examples of those partnerships include:</p>
<ul>
<li>In Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield partnered with <a href="http://newavenues.org/">New Avenues for Youth</a> to expand outreach to and support for youth experiencing housing instability, programming for LGBTQ youth, youth in foster care and youth involved in sex trafficking.</li>
<li>In Utah, Regence BlueCross BlueShield partnered with the <a href="https://www.utahfoodbank.org/">Utah Food Bank</a> on an innovative Mobile Food Pantry project to provide consistent, nutritious meals to children experiencing hunger across Utah.</li>
<li>In Washington, Regence BlueShield partnered with <a href="http://www.marysplaceseattle.org/">Mary&rsquo;s Place</a> to grow its team of Housing and Health Advocates to help families with difficult issues, such as eviction prevention and move-in costs, as well as medical support for families with children that have complex medical conditions like autism.</li>
<li>In Idaho, Regence BlueShield partnered with the <a href="http://www.ymcatvidaho.org/">Treasure Valley Family YMCA</a> to fund a no-cost healing arts program for people living with chronic illness, such as cancer and neurological ailments.</li>
</ul>
<p>&ldquo;I am constantly inspired by the time, resources, and passion Regence employees invest in their own communities and I&rsquo;m proud to see that highlighted by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association community investment report,&rdquo; said Arella. &ldquo;We call it neighbors helping neighbors, and there can never be enough of that.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Combined, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies invested $284 million in community health initiatives in 2017, and BCBS employees volunteered more than 540,000 hours and provided more than $17 million dollars in personal donations &ndash; a $6 million increase over 2016 employee contributions.</p>
<p>This is the tenth-annual &ldquo;The Health of America Community Investment Report&quot; released by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. To learn more about how BCBS companies are improving the health and wellness of members and their communities, view the report at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility?utm_source=bcbscom&amp;utm_medium=release&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_campaign=2018-cir#community-investment-report">www.bcbs.com/investingincommunities</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong></p>
<p>Regence serves more than 2<em>.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.regence.com/"><em>regence.com</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p><strong>About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association</strong></p>
<p><em>The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for one-in-three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index<sup>sm</sup>. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog.</em></p>
]]>All MarketsWed, 20 Jun 2018 23:00:31 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-invests-in-local-partners-to-transform-the-health-of-its-communitiesWed, 20 Jun 2018 21:14:00 GMTMelanoma Diagnoses Rising, New Data Showshttp://news.regence.com/releases/melanoma-diagnoses-rising-new-data-showsreleasesWide variations exist in skin cancer diagnosis rates between states and metropolitan areas<![CDATA[<p><strong>PORTLAND, Ore. &ndash; </strong>Prevalence of melanoma diagnoses increased 7 percent over a four-year span, according to information released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA)&rsquo;s Health of America Report.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/tanning">Skin Cancer Foundation</a>, people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent. &ldquo;Skin exposure to ultraviolet light is as likely to cause cancer as smoking cigarettes,&rdquo; said Dr. Trent Haywood, senior vice president and chief medical officer for BCBSA. &ldquo;Americans should enjoy the sun, but also use the proper precautions to avoid too much exposure to ultraviolet light. Tanning beds should be avoided altogether in light of research documenting the strong correlation to skin cancer.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Findings show that the rate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) members living with melanoma more than double when men reach ages 55 through 64 and surpass rates for women in that age range. Women 54 years and younger have higher prevalence of diagnosed melanoma than men. Non-melanoma skin cancer diagnoses are more prevalent in women at 4.6 percent compared to men at 3.5 percent, but the average cost of treating women is $468 compared to $678 for men.</p>
<p>In 2013, 237,000 commercially insured BCBS members within a sample of 41 million people were identified as having diagnosed melanoma, compared to 257,000 in 2016. Despite the increase, melanoma made up just 2.8 percent of all skin cancer diagnoses.</p>
<p>Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States: Nearly 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with it every single day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Skin cancer affected 4.3 percent of BCBS members. By taking the skin cancer diagnosis rate found in the study and extrapolating it to 216 million privately insured people counted by the U.S. Census Bureau, BCBSA estimates that nine million privately insured people in the U.S. are living with a skin cancer diagnosis.</p>
<p>The findings are based on medical claims data from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index<sup>SM</sup> (<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/health-index/national-health-index">BCBS Health Index℠</a>), a first-of-its-kind measurement of health for nearly every county in America. It encompasses more than 200 conditions that impact health and identifies those health conditions with the greatest impact on the commercially insured population. The BCBS Health Index is powered by de-identified medical claims data from more than 41 million commercially insured members of BCBS companies. The interactive website allows people to measure the overall health and identify the top 10 conditions that negatively impact health at the state and county levels.</p>
<p>The Blue Cross Blue Shield: The Health of America Report<sup>&reg;</sup> is a collaboration between BCBSA and Blue Health Intelligence, which uses a market-leading claims database to uncover key trends and insights into health care affordability and access to care.</p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.bcbs.com/healthofamerica">www.bcbs.com/healthofamerica</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong></p>
<p>Regence serves more than 2.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.regence.com/">regence.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally&nbsp;operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports">The Health of America Report&nbsp;</a>series and the national&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/health-index">BCBS Health Index<sup>sm</sup></a>. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/">BCBS.com</a>. We also encourage you to connect with us on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BCBSAssociation" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, check out our videos on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/bluecrossblueshield" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, follow us on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BCBSAssociation" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;and check out our<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/articles">&nbsp;blog</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About BHI</strong></p>
<p>Blue Health Intelligence (BHI) is the nation&rsquo;s premier resource for data-driven insights about healthcare trends and best practices, promoting healthier lives and more affordable access to safe and effective care. BHI leverages a team of analytics experts and advanced technology, coupled with access to the greatest number of healthcare claims&mdash;172 million lives&mdash;gathered over 10 years in a safe, HIPAA-compliant, secure database. The resulting conformed, reliable data set has the broadest, deepest pool of integrated medical and pharmacy claims, reflecting medical utilization in every ZIP code. Blue Health Intelligence (BHI) is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BHI is a trade name of Health Intelligence Company, LLC. www.bluehealthintelligence.com.</p>
]]>All MarketsThu, 31 May 2018 20:11:33 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/melanoma-diagnoses-rising-new-data-showsThu, 31 May 2018 18:57:00 GMTRegence data measures real-world savings for telehealth usershttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-data-measures-real-world-savings-for-telehealth-usersreleasesConsumers save $100 on average based on time, mileage and claims costs avoided by using telehealth<![CDATA[<p>PORTLAND, Ore. &ndash; Today, Regence released new data showing consumers, on average, save $100 per visit when using telehealth rather than in-person office, urgent care or emergency room visits. Data are based on services provided through national telehealth vendors in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington state, and reflect cost savings associated with medical claims, mileage and wait times in traffic and in the waiting room.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Our primary goal is to offer people a choice in how they access care based on their own personal preferences,&rdquo; said Brodie Dychinco, Regence&rsquo;s general manager of Convenient Care Delivery. &ldquo;Technology has accelerated the adoption of telehealth as one of many convenient options people have to help contain their health care costs and seek care based on where, when and how they want it.&rdquo;</p>
<p>When a Regence member with a commercial, non-Medicare policy uses telehealth instead of an emergency room, urgent care, or doctor&rsquo;s office visit, they save an average of $75 out-of-pocket on associated medical bills. This savings number may vary depending on the member&rsquo;s specific policy and whether deductibles have been met.</p>
<p>In addition to the lower claims cost, Regence estimated telehealth consumers can avoid expenditures in mileage and time spent traveling and waiting for care at about $25 per telehealth visit for median-income earners and upwards of $40 for higher wage-earners.</p>
<p>Regence estimated the value of time saved using telehealth for people with a range of incomes. While those with a median (50<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;percentile) income save around $23 in wait and travel time and mileage, those with 25<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;percentile income with the same wait time and travel distance save $14 and those at the 75<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;percentile of income save $39.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Potential Cost Savings Based on Time, Travel and Mileage by Income</strong></h3>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>&nbsp;</th>
<th>
<p align="center">&nbsp;Median Income&nbsp;</p>
</th>
<th>
<p align="center">&nbsp;25<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Percentile&nbsp;</p>
</th>
<th>
<p align="center">&nbsp;75<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Percentile&nbsp;</p>
</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Mileage</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Travel Time</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$15</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Wait Time</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$13</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$7</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$22</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>Total</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>$23</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>$14</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>$39</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>By making it easier and more affordable to access care, telehealth offerings empower consumers to prioritize their health over the physical and time constraints in their lives.While these data are focused on acute medical care visits, telehealth is expanding to specialty care as well, including options for individual and family behavioral health therapy, lactation consulting, and other secure online care options. Both on-demand and pre-scheduled appointments are possible, and consumers can select the delivery based on personal preferences of phone call, video chat or back-and-forth messaging.</p>
<h3><strong>About Regence</strong></h3>
<p>Regence serves more than 2.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://regence.com/" target="_blank" title="External link">regence.com</a><strong>.</strong></p>
]]>All MarketsTue, 15 May 2018 15:00:07 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-data-measures-real-world-savings-for-telehealth-usersTue, 15 May 2018 15:00:00 GMTRegence and MedSavvy Partner to Bring Price Transparency to Medicationshttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-and-medsavvy-partner-to-bring-price-transparency-to-medicationsreleasesNew Savvy Pharmacy Shopper tool enables consumers to compare real-world medication costs across local pharmacies<![CDATA[<p>PORTLAND, Ore. &ndash; Today, Regence and MedSavvy announced the launch of a new service to provide consumers with more transparency in medication pricing. Called Savvy Pharmacy Shopper, the <a name="_Hlk509472784">easy-to-use online tool </a>enables consumers to compare real-world medication costs at different pharmacies close to them, based on their individual health plan benefits.</p>
<p><a name="_Hlk508785361">&ldquo;MedSavvy is demystifying how to find clinically-effective and affordable medications,&rdquo; said Angela Dowling, Regence&rsquo;s chief revenue officer. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen strong traction over the past year from Regence employers and members for this service. As drug prices continue to climb, MedSavvy is giving our members control so they can make smarter choices for their health.&rdquo; </a></p>
<p>With MedSavvy and the new Savvy Pharmacy Shopper, consumers can now compare medications based on effectiveness, cost, reviews and access to help find the treatment that works best for them. The service simplifies critical information in a way that is useful and easy-to-digest for consumers.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Imagine the ability to price check medications the way you compare travel costs across different airlines before purchasing,&rdquo; said Sean Karbowicz, MedSavvy&rsquo;s founder and general manager. &ldquo;Medication costs can vary by pharmacy and even vary within the same pharmacy over time. To help improve access and value, we developed Savvy Pharmacy Shopper to offer consumers an unprecedented health care shopping experience.&rdquo;</p>
<p><a name="_Hlk509472801">The Savvy Pharmacy Shopper search tool sorts by ZIP code, distance and price for easy cost comparison. In addition, it reflects a member&rsquo;s out-of-pocket costs before and after meeting the deductible.</a> Savvy Pharmacy Shopper is part of the MedSavvy product and currently available to Regence members who have access to MedSavvy through their health plan.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong></p>
<p>Regence serves more than 2.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://regence.com/" target="_blank" title="External link">regence.com</a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>About MedSavvy</strong></p>
<p>Led by a team of specially trained licensed pharmacists, MedSavvy is pulling back the curtain on the world of prescription drugs to allow patients and doctors to make better decisions about their treatment options. Founder Sean Karbowicz R.PH., PharmD., and his team created a search-and-compare engine that allows people to search for around 100 conditions and nearly 1,000 treatments. MedSavvy uses a report-card-style rating system to help explain medication effectiveness and combines that information with details about cost, side effects, safety and user reviews that any patient can understand and feel empowered to use. As an independent third party, MedSavvy is moving the health care industry forward, into an age of true transparency, empowering people to access real pharmacists, have educated conversations with their doctors about their treatment options, and save money. For more, visit <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medsavvy.com%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CWen.Chiu%40cambiahealth.com%7C08761b9ef60c4f487f1108d57ed87f92%7Ce964274919d44f7fb4df802b2b75a809%7C0%7C0%7C636554390680008787&amp;sdata=aXAzk5SSU1s7cB%2FGQhOnSDaGZEwRB3ZUf%2Fk5lip2mfo%3D&amp;reserved=0">medsavvy.com</a>.</p>
]]>All MarketsTue, 03 Apr 2018 22:54:58 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-and-medsavvy-partner-to-bring-price-transparency-to-medicationsWed, 28 Mar 2018 07:00:00 GMTRegence reduces opioid prescriptions by 22% through point-of-sale alerts, direct provider outreach and strengthened policieshttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-reduces-opioid-prescriptions-by-22-through-point-of-sale-alerts-direct-provider-outreach-and-strengthened-policiesreleases<![CDATA[<p>PORTLAND, Ore.&nbsp;&ndash; Regence health plans announced today progress toward a company goal to reduce opioids prescriptions by 25 percent across the four-state region of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah by 2020. Results reported through the fourth quarter of 2017 reflect a 22 percent decrease since 2015. Regence is on pace to reach a 25 percent reduction in opioid prescriptions two years ahead of schedule with expanded policies and practices that took effect Jan. 1, 2018.</p>
<p>The initiative is part of broader work by Regence to build a comprehensive opioid management program to decrease opioid misuse while supporting appropriate use for people who can benefit from treatment.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis that affects millions of Americans,&rdquo; said Dr. Richard Popiel, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Regence. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re taking a stand to support our communities and the members we serve. We are ensuring members who can benefit from opioid treatment get the care they need, while strengthening our medication policies to reduce opioid misuse, and supporting our members who need addiction treatment.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Regence&rsquo;s four-state market has seen a significant impact from the opioid epidemic:</p>
<ul>
<li>Oregon has one of the nation&rsquo;s highest rates of opioid misuse and more drug poisoning deaths involving prescription opioids than any other drug. On average, three Oregonians die every week from prescription opioid overdose, according to the Oregon Health Authority.</li>
<li>In Idaho, more than 200 people die each year from prescription drug overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</li>
<li>Utah has the seventh-highest overdose rate in the United States, according to the Utah Department of Health.</li>
<li>The majority of all drug overdose deaths in Washington &ndash; more than six out of 10 &ndash; involve opioids, the Washington State Department of Health reports.</li>
</ul>
<p>Regence initiatives to combat opioid misuse include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pharmacy point-of-sale messaging that alerts pharmacists of potential for inappropriate use or misuse</li>
<li>Claims data analysis shared with doctors that reveals opportunities for more informed clinical decisions that result in better outcomes</li>
<li>Partnership with provider groups to share opioid use data and encourage responsible prescribing practices</li>
<li>Strong medication polices aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and regional guidelines.</li>
<li>Expanded online provider opioid and pain management toolkit</li>
<li>Partnerships with public officials and community organizations to create awareness about opioid use and develop community-based solutions</li>
<li>Proposed legislative action to combat prescription drug abuse, nationally and in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain regions&nbsp;</li>
<li>Promotion of educational and awareness campaigns focusing on the opioid epidemic, such as the <a href="http://news.regence.com/blog/documentary-explores-the-causes-effects-of-nationwide-opioid-epidemic#.WlzzP6inHIV">PBS opioid documentary</a>, &ldquo;Understanding the Opioid Epidemic,&rdquo; which began airing Jan. 17 nationwide</li>
</ul>
<p>Regence continues to evaluate its programs and initiatives to support the access to high-quality, high-value treatment for our members.</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong><br />
Regence serves more than 2.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://regence.com/" target="_blank" title="External link">regence.com</a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
]]>All MarketsTue, 06 Feb 2018 16:32:43 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-reduces-opioid-prescriptions-by-22-through-point-of-sale-alerts-direct-provider-outreach-and-strengthened-policiesTue, 06 Feb 2018 14:00:00 GMTRegence Appoints Dr. James Polo as Medical Director to Lead Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Effortshttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-appoints-dr-james-polo-as-medical-director-to-lead-behavioral-health-and-substance-abuse-effortsreleases<![CDATA[<p>PORTLAND, OR &ndash;&nbsp;Today, Regence announced Dr. James Polo will join the organization as its newest Medical Director, where he will focus on behavioral health. Dr. Polo will join a regional team of medical directors with an eye on strengthening and integrating the company&rsquo;s behavioral health practices across the organization and in the community.</p>
<div>
<p>In&nbsp;this&nbsp;role, he will continue the company&rsquo;s work to address substance abuse and the opioid crisis in the region. Regence has committed to reducing opioid prescriptions by 25 percent by 2020.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Behavioral health and the opioid epidemic are at the forefront of issues impacting our members, our country and the&nbsp;health care system today&rdquo; said Dr. Richard Popiel, Chief Medical Officer of Cambia Health Solutions. &ldquo;Dr. Polo&rsquo;s expertise and experience in this arena will allow us to amplify our efforts to curb opioid abuse and address behavioral health for people and their families.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Dr. Polo brings over 20 years of experience and previously served as Chief Medical Officer and senior psychiatric physician for Western State Hospital in Washington. He led development and oversight of psychiatric services in various military hospitals, served at the Pentagon as the Health Policy Advisor to the Secretary of the Army, and helped orchestrate complex care delivery for a children&rsquo;s health care network in Washington state. Dr. Polo attended college at West Point in New York, and received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Maryland. He also holds a Master&rsquo;s in Business Administration from the University of Colorado.</p>
<p>Dr. Polo resides in Tacoma, Washington with his wife, Kathy, and will work in the company&rsquo;s Tacoma office, at the heart of where the company was founded 101 years ago.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong></p>
<p>Regence serves approximately 2.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit regence.com.</p>
</div>
]]>All MarketsThu, 08 Feb 2018 18:07:22 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/regence-appoints-dr-james-polo-as-medical-director-to-lead-behavioral-health-and-substance-abuse-effortsThu, 01 Feb 2018 19:28:00 GMTNational Study Finds Diabetes Growing Fastest Among 18- to 34-year-oldshttp://news.regence.com/releases/national-study-finds-diabetes-growing-fastest-among-18-to-34-year-oldsreleasesDiabetes outpaces heart disease, substance abuse and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to recent study <![CDATA[<p>Diabetes rates have nearly doubled in the past three decades, ranking it third in overall health impact in the U.S. Affecting quality of life of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics/statistics-report.html">30.3 million Americans</a> and ultimately increasing cost across the health care system, <a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/diabetes-and-commercially-insured-us-population">a new study</a> released by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) shows that diabetes has increased most rapidly among people ages 18 through 34. According to the study, young adults have experienced a 4.7 percent growth in diabetes from 2013 through 2015 - a direct correlation between this age group&rsquo;s spike in obesity rates and a key contributor to the onset of Type 2 diabetes.</p>
<p>The report, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/diabetes-and-commercially-insured-us-population">Diabetes and the Commercially Insured U.S. Population</a>,&rdquo; represents an analysis of the BCBS Health Index data which investigates diabetes related claims data of more than 40 million BCBS members covered by their employer.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&quot;This report highlights the health impact diabetes has on people&rsquo;s longevity and overall quality of life,&rdquo; said Dr. Richard Popiel, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Regence. &ldquo;Historically, health plans use claims data to recognize and deliver resources to people with chronic illnesses and diabetes is no different. Regence works to provide members with services, tools and information allowing them to make informed decisions and better understand their options on preventing or managing diabetes.&quot;</p>
<p>Other BCBSA findings include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Diabetes accounts for 9.3 percent of the health impact of more than 200 conditions, greater than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, breast cancer and asthma combined.</li>
<li>Diabetes has the highest health impact on communities in the Southeast and Central South regions, approximately 30 percent higher than New England and the Pacific Northwest, the regions with the lowest diabetes impact.</li>
</ul>
<p>At a regional level, Regence health plan data shows Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes affects: &nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>3.3 percent of total members in Idaho</li>
<li>3.8 percent of total members in Oregon</li>
<li>3.5 percent of total members in Utah</li>
<li>5.3 percent of total members in Washington</li>
</ul>
<p>Helping prevent increased cases of diabetes through education and community outreach is a key priority and Regence will continue its work to help improve access to medical care and promote healthy lifestyle options in their communities.</p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports">https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About Regence</strong><br />
Regence serves more than 2.4 million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (select counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://regence.com/" target="_blank" title="External link">regence.com</a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association</strong></p>
<p>Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for one in three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out the BCBS Blog for up-to-date information about BCBSA.</p>
]]>All MarketsThu, 28 Sep 2017 16:12:36 GMThttp://news.regence.com/releases/national-study-finds-diabetes-growing-fastest-among-18-to-34-year-oldsTue, 15 Aug 2017 16:00:00 GMTPropelling growth - Regence's economic impact in 2016http://news.regence.com/blog/propelling-growth-regence-s-economic-impact-in-2016blog<![CDATA[<div class="crocodoc-page crocodoc-page-visible crocodoc-current-page" data-height="1325.1764705882354" data-width="1024">
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<p>Giving back to the community has always been a key priority for Regence. In addition to commitment to the community, educating our members and creating a transparent experience has been something we continually work towards.</p>
<p>In light of these two considerations, and the ongoing celebration of our centennial, Regence is excited to announce that it has retained the services of ECONorthwest, an independent economic consulting firm, to assess the effects our operations and employees have on the Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah economies.</p>
<p>A few takeaways from the reports include:</p>
<p><strong>Jobs</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Oregon &ndash; provided 2,411 jobs, each of which supported another 1.9 jobs elsewhere in Oregon, for a total of 4,499 positions.</li>
<li>Washington &ndash; provided 2,236 jobs, each of which supported another 1.4 jobs elsewhere in Washington, for a total of 3,162 positions.</li>
<li>Idaho &ndash; provided 562 jobs, each of which supported another 1.4 jobs elsewhere in Idaho, for a total of 766 positions.</li>
<li>Utah &ndash; provided 375 jobs, each of which supported another 1.8 jobs elsewhere in Utah, for a total of 673 positions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Charitable</strong> <strong>giving</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Oregon &ndash; donated $5.3 million to 586 local organizations and volunteered 4,561 hours</li>
<li>Washington &ndash; donated $3.6 million to 484 local organizations and volunteered 1,798 hours</li>
<li>Idaho &ndash; donated $650,834 to 110 local organizations and volunteered 1,269 hours</li>
<li>Utah &ndash; donated $755,809 to 107 local organizations and volunteered 813 hours</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Spending</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Oregon - 55% of total operations expenditures&mdash;about $235 million&mdash;were spent locally in Oregon.</li>
<li>Washington - 77 percent of total operations expenditures&mdash;about $170.6 million&mdash;were spent locally Washington.</li>
<li>Idaho - 83.1% of total operations and capital expenditures&mdash;about $36 million&mdash;were spent locally in Idaho.</li>
<li>Utah &ndash; 89.3% of total operations and capital expenditures&mdash;about $33.3 million&mdash;were spent locally in Utah.</li>
</ul>
<p>You can view the full reports, here:</p>
<p><a href="http://news.regence.com/internal_redirect/cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazonaws.com/172/files/20177/2016%20Regence%20Oregon%20Economic%20Impact%20Report.pdf">Oregon</a></p>
<p><a href="http://news.regence.com/internal_redirect/cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazonaws.com/172/files/20177/2016%20Regence%20Washington%20Economic%20Impact%20Report.pdf">Washington</a></p>
<p><a href="http://news.regence.com/internal_redirect/cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazonaws.com/172/files/20177/2016%20Regence%20Utah%20Economic%20Impact%20Report.pdf">Utah</a></p>
<a href="http://news.regence.com/internal_redirect/cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazonaws.com/172/files/20177/2016%20Regence%20Idaho%20Economic%20Impact%20Report.pdf">Idaho</a></div>
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]]>All MarketsThu, 28 Sep 2017 16:42:01 GMTRegence http://news.regence.com/blog/propelling-growth-regence-s-economic-impact-in-2016Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:38:00 GMTEmployee Wellness Plans Encourage Healthier Lifestyleshttp://news.regence.com/blog/employee-wellness-plans-encourage-healthier-lifestylesblog<![CDATA[<p>In the United States, <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/08/01/why-employee-wellness-plans-matter.html?ana=twt" target="_blank">more than 68% of adults are overweight</a> or obese and more than 1 in 20 have extreme obesity. However, it&rsquo;s not just adults. The number of children who suffer from obesity is steadily increasing.&nbsp; Obesity at a young age can lead to heart disease, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and asthma. Those who are obese spend, on average, 41.5 percent more in medical spending than those who maintain a healthy weight.</p>
<p>As a father of two young children, Regence BlueShield Market Vice President Andrew Over works hard to drive home the importance of a healthy lifestyle.In a recent article published in the <em>Portland Business Journal</em>, Andrew discusses the importance of imparting a healthy lifestyle onto kids by encouraging frequent activity and healthy eating. In that same vein, Regence adopted employee wellness programs to encourage and improve the health and wellbeing of its employees.</p>
<p>You can learn more about our efforts to encourage families to healthier lifestyles by reading &ldquo;<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2016/08/01/why-employee-wellness-plans-matter.html?ana=twt" target="_blank">Why employee wellness plans matter</a>&rdquo; in the <em>Portland Business Journal</em>.</p>
]]>All MarketsThu, 28 Sep 2017 17:13:33 GMTRegence http://news.regence.com/blog/employee-wellness-plans-encourage-healthier-lifestylesFri, 26 Aug 2016 15:47:00 GMT